Softball Drops Both Games at Belmont Abbey to Open Up Conference Play

MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The Belmont Abbey softball team opened its Conference Carolinas schedule with a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Pfeiffer University Falcons this afternoon at Crusader Field. The Abbey won the opener 5-2 and won 2-0 in the nightcap as it moves to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in Conference Carolinas, while the Falcons drop to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in Conference Carolinas. It is the Abbey's first doubleheader sweep of a Conference Carolinas opponent since April 16, 2007 when the Abbey swept Barton.

In the opener, the Abbey jumped ahead 4-0 after just one inning, as Tara Ruebel singled home Kasey Kerley, who led off the inning with a single. Becca Rothrock followed with a single, and both runners came home on a three-run blast by Carol-Anne Sherrill to extend the lead to 4-0.

Pfeiffer cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the fifth, but Sherill iced the game away with an RBI single in the fifth, scoring Sami Michaelis.

Kim Anders earned the win in dominating fashion, allowing two unearned runs in seven innings, striking out ten and walking none. Allison Braswell took the loss. She gave up five runs on ten hits in six innings.

In game two, Emily Self held Pfeiffer to just three hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one. She recieved the only run she would need in the bottom of the first, as Kerley led off with a single, moved to second on a groundout and to third on a passed ball. Sherrill brought her home on a single.

The Abbey tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Megan Mullis led off with a single and then Michaelis, pinch running for Mullis, stole second and moved to third on the ensuing throwing error. She scored on a groundout by Megan Riveros.

Mariah Chalk took the loss after allowing an unearned run on four hits in four innings, striking out one and walking three.